(a) The Board shall consider an application for a removal permit for a controlled or decontrolled housing accommodation, or an application to modify the terms of a removal permit previously issued, upon receipt of an application filed by the landlord, owner or other authorized person. Such application shall be made on a form approved by the Administrator. The Board shall notify the applicant and tenant of the receipt of an application and of the right of either party to request a hearing in writing within 15 calendar days of the date of such notice. At any time, the Board may, on its own initiative, order a hearing on any application. If a hearing is timely requested by either party, or if the action is undertaken on the initiative of the Board, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be furnished to the applicant and tenant and the hearing shall be conducted before a designee of the Board. Hearings, final decision and notification of the final decision to the applicant relative to permits shall occur within 60 days of the filing of the request unless the parties otherwise agree. The Board may consolidate applications relating to housing accommodations in the same building or development. The Board may conduct a single hearing on all such consolidated applications. The Administrator may designate a person or persons to participate in a removal proceeding, where appropriate, in order to further the provisions and purposes of this Section and to serve the public interest.
(b) Removal permit hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 11 except that requirements (7) and (8) of such Section 11 shall not apply to such hearings.